San Francisco — San Jose State's Deonce Whitaker took full advantage of the 77th annual Shrine All-Star Game.
Whitaker, hindered by injuries most of the regular season, scored two touchdowns, including the game-clincher in the fourth quarter, as the West beat the East 21-13 on Saturday.
"This was very important for me because I started to doubt myself after the year I had," Whitaker said. "I started to think I may have lost a step. To come out and do well makes me feel good."
Whitaker, selected the offensive MVP, ran for 40 yards and caught three passes for another 40 yards at sparsely populated Pac Bell Park, home of the San Francisco Giants.
"I feel like I can play anywhere," Whitaker said. "Not too many scouts talked to me, but I went around with a smile on my face. If I can actually get a shot, I can prove what I can do."
Iowa's Kahlil Hill caught eight passes for 146 yards for the East, and Louisville's Zeke Parker had six receptions for 110 yards.
Texas linebacker Everick Rawls was selected the defensive MVP.
Whitaker's 2-yard run with 6:09 remaining clinched the victory. UC Davis quarterback J.T. O'Sullivan hooked up with Whitaker on a 38-yard pass preceding the touchdown.
"I was pleased with our execution," West coach Mike Bellotti said.
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